Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device having multiple components that are lightweight and easily storable is described and taught. The exercise device is a platform that may have a non-slip surface. The individual components may include fitness blocks, resistance bands, balance arches, and rollers. Theses components may be used singularly or in conjunction with one another. This allows a user to perform a number of exercises including strength training and resistance training along with other aerobic and anaerobic exercises. When not in use, these components store underneath the platform in designated recesses. In some cases, there is a lid or covering for any number of the recesses. The device, as a whole, is lightweight, portable and easily used in small spaces creating an ideal workout device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 61/671,255filed Jul. 13, 2012 which is herein fully incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to a multi-function device used forphysical exercise. In particular, the current invention relates to anexercise device that may be used for different types of physicaltraining such as flexibility exercises, strength training, stability &core exercises, aerobic exercises, and anaerobic exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise equipment consists of a wide variety of equipment. It can be assimple as an inflatable ball, or as advanced as a treadmill employingthe latest in technology. As a nation, our waistlines are expanding,putting a premium on cost effective, multi-purpose exercise equipment.In order to perform many different exercises, one must purchase numerouspieces of equipment. It is typical for a person to purchase individualweights, machines, resistance bands, balancing apparatus, and otherforms of exercise equipment. Once purchased, the vast quantity ofequipment can take up an overabundance of space. This leads to unsightlyequipment being stored in places that are out of the way such asclosets, basements, or garages. Unfortunately, this often leads to adecrease in equipment use. Another downside to current exerciseequipment is the astronomical cost. Each individual component mustgenerally be purchased separately. It is typical for a purchaser of aset of dumbbells to purchase two dumbbells in order to have a set, thepurchaser paying for each individual dumbbell. Other times, a user willpurchase a resistance band and need to purchase the bands and thehandles separately. Thus, there is a need for a simple, cost effectivesolution to the aforementioned shortcomings. It is desirable to have asystem that has all the basic components one may need in one easy tostore and use apparatus. The current invention addresses these needs.

Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and meansof operation are substantially different from the present disclosure.The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by thepresent disclosure. At least one embodiment of this invention ispresented in the drawings below and will be described in more detailherein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention discloses an exercise device having: a platformhaving a top side, a bottom side, and peripheral sides, wherein theexercise device has a height measured as the distance between the topside and a surface upon which the platform is placed. The platform hasan anti-slip layer, preferably rubber, positioned on the top surface.The exercise device further has at least one fitness block being capableof being positioned beneath the bottom side of the platform, whereinthere is at least one fitness block receiving recess residing on thebottom side of the platform, and the fitness block is capable ofresiding securely in the fitness block receiving recess, adjusting theheight of the exercise device.

The exercise device has a number of fitness blocks, and there are twofitness block receiving recesses residing on the bottom side of theplatform. Each of the fitness blocks are capable of residing securely inthe fitness block receiving recess and adjusting the height of theexercise device as a whole. Each fitness block has an upper piece havinga top surface and a lower piece having a bottom concave, wherein theupper piece is securely attached to and positioned upon the lower piece,and the bottom concave is capable of receiving an upper piece fromanother fitness block. The fitness blocks may further have at least onesupport cap, wherein each support cap is capable of being positionedbeneath the fitness block, adjusting the height of the exercise device.The fitness blocks are preferably made of plastics and the support capsare made of plastics.

The exercise device further has at least one, and preferably twoidentical, balance arches with each balance arch having an arch sectionwith a concave side, a protruding side, a first end and a second end,and two connecting sections attached to the first end and the secondend. The exercise device has balance arch receiving recesses residing onthe bottom side of the platform, wherein the connecting sections of thebalance arches are capable of being securely positioned in the balancearch receiving recesses, allowing the concaving side to face the bottomside of the platform and the protruding side to face away from thebottom side, and adjusting the height of the exercise device andallowing the platform to rock on the surface upon which the exercisedevice is placed. In some instances the balance arches will not changethe height of the exercise device. Each arch may also have an anti-sliplayer attached thereto.

The exercise device also has at least one roller having a roller frameand a roller ball rotatably attached to the roller frame. The exercisedevice has roller receiving recesses residing on the bottom side of theplatform, wherein the roller frames are capable of being securelypositioned in the roller receiving recesses, making the roller balls toface the surface upon which the exercise device is place, adjusting theheight of the exercise device, and allowing the exercise device to slideon the surface with rotation of the roller balls. Additionally, thereare roller receiving recesses residing on the support caps, where theroller frames are capable of being securely positioned in the rollerreceiving recesses, making the roller balls to face the surface uponwhich the exercise device is place, adjusting the height of the exercisedevice, and allowing the exercise device to slide on the surface withrotation of the roller balls.

The exercise device also has at least one resistance band assembly. Theresistance band assembly is made up of a resistance band having a topend and a bottom end, a handle attached to the top end, an adjustmentstrap attached to the bottom end, and an attachment member connected tothe adjustment strap. Additionally, each resistance band may have acarabineer connecting the adjustment strap to the resistance band. Theexercise device has a plurality of resistance band assembly attachmentmechanisms on the platform, where each resistance band assemblyattachment mechanism has the same structure. The resistance bandassembly attachment mechanisms are resistance band assembly attachmentrecesses on the peripheral sides of the platform, and the attachmentmembers are capable of securely attach the resistance band assembly tothe resistance band assembly attachment recesses. The resistance bandassembly attachment recesses extends from the top side to the bottomside of the platform, and the attachment members are plugs that eachhave an elongated body and an enlarged head. The elongated bodies areplaced in the resistance band assembly attachment recesses and theenlarged heads are stuck to the bottom side of the platform, securingthe resistance band assembly to the platform. Each of the resistancebands adjustment straps are capable of being adjusted for length.Additionally, the resistance band assemblies can be secured in aresistance band assembly resting recess on the bottom of the exercisedevice. An optional cover helps to secure the resistance bands in place.

In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following,and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise devicehaving numerous exercise equipment options.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise devicewith easily interchangeable parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide internal storage forthe various components of the device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means foradjusting the height of the workout surface.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a full body workout.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise devicethat is easily maneuverable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise devicethat can be stored easily.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise devicewith multiple attachments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe workoutdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with component pieces in storage

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with component pieces removed from storage.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fitness block component of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an underside view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention demonstrating the implementation of the fitness blocks.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the resistance strap component of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention with the resistancestraps in place.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a balance arch component of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention with the balancearches secured in place.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a roller assembly component of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the present invention demonstrating theimplementation of the roller assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures are identified, as far as possible, with the same referencenumerals. Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of thepresent invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanationof the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto.In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon readingthe present specification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating fromthe innovative concepts of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the exercise device 1 having aplatform 10 that may be any shape and size. The preferred shape is acuboid or a similar structure with a top view of a rectangle. However,other shapes are also acceptable as long as the basic functions of theexercise device 1 may be carried out. For example, the top view may beoval or square. The top of the platform 10 may also have ananti-slippery layer 11. This anti-slippery layer 11 is preferablyrubber, but other comparable materials such as silicone may suffice. Thesize of the platform 10 may vary. With a rectangular top view, thelength may be between 25.4 cm (10 inches) and 254 cm (100 inches), withthe preferred range of 50.8-101.6 cm (20-40 inches); the width may bebetween 12.7 cm (5 inches) and 254 cm (100 inches), with the preferredrange of 25.4-63.5 cm (10-25 inches). The height, as indicated above, isadjustable, with the preferred range of 2.54-127 cm (1-50 inches).

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, one can see the components stored in theirrespective areas in the exercise device 1 and subsequently removed fromtheir storage positions. There is at least one fitness block receivingrecess 42 and preferably two with each one being located approximatelyequal distance on each side of the midline of the exercise device 1. Thefitness blocks 22 stack upon one another and fit securely into thefitness block receiving recess 42.

In order to accommodate the balance arches 26 when the arches are not inuse, there are balance arch resting recesses residing 27 on the bottomside of the platform, the balance arches 26 are capable of beingsecurely positioned in the balance arch resting recesses 27 withoutchanging the height of the exercise device. When the balance arches 26are in the balance arch resting recess 27, they are held in place byrotatable pegs 30. These rotatable pegs 30 are plastic arms that rotateto cover a portion of the balance arch 26 to prevent movement when notin use.

To accommodate the resistance band assemblies 20 when they are not inuse, there is a resistance band assembly resting recess 31 residing onthe bottom side of the platform 1, the resistance band assemblies 20 maybe securely placed in the resistance band assembly resting recess 31. Inaddition, the exercise device 1 may include a storage cover (not shown)capable of covering the resistance band assembly resting recess 31.

The rollers 24 fit into roller receiving recesses 32. There should be atleast as many roller recesses 32 as there are rollers 24. The rollerframe 21 is adapted to fit within the roller receiving recess 32 whilestill permitting the roller 24 to be removed with ease.

FIG. 3 shows that the fitness blocks 22 have features that may permitthe fitness blocks 22 to be stacked upon one another to adjust theheight of the platform 10. To achieve this goal, the fitness block 22may have an upper piece 40 having a top surface 41, a lower piece havinga bottom concave 43 (see FIG. 4), wherein the upper piece 40 is securelyattached to and positioned upon the lower piece, and the bottom concave43 is capable of receiving an upper piece 40 from another fitness block22. Furthermore, the exercise device 1 may include a plurality ofsupport caps 45 (see FIG. 10), wherein each support cap 45 is capable ofbeing positioned beneath the fitness block 22, adjusting the height ofthe exercise device 1. The fitness block 22 may further have a non-slipsurface (not shown) disposed around a bottom perimeter.

In FIG. 4 the exercise device 1 may include at least one fitness block22 being capable of being positioned beneath the bottom side of theplatform 10. There is at least one fitness block receiving recess 42residing on the bottom side of the platform 10, and the fitness block 22may reside securely in the fitness block receiving recess 42, adjustingthe height of the exercise device 1. Preferably, there are a pluralityof fitness blocks 22. There may be two fitness block receiving recesses42 residing on the bottom side of the platform, and each fitness block22 being capable of residing securely in the fitness block receivingrecess 42 and adjusting the height of the exercise device 1. The fitnessblocks 22 have a bottom concave 43 which allows the stacking of thefitness blocks 22. The upper piece 40 of one fitness block 22 fits intothe bottom concave 43 of another fitness block 22. This will adjust theheight of the platform 10, and by adjusting the height of the platform10, the strenuousness of the exercise may be changed.

With regard to FIG. 5, if a user desires to strength train, the exercisedevice 1 may include at least one resistance band assembly 20 comprisinga resistance band 54 having a top end and a bottom end, a handle 50attached to the top end, an adjustment strap 56 attached to the bottomend, and an attachment member 58 connected to the adjustment strap 56.Preferably, there are a plurality of resistance band assemblies 20having the same structure. For better connection, each resistance bandassembly 20 may further comprise a carabineer 52 connecting theadjustment strap 56 to the resistance band 20. To fit different persons'physical features and for different exercise routines, the length of theadjustable strap 56 is capable of being adjusted. Additionally, it maybe possible to change the resistance band 54 in order to decrease orincrease the tension in the resistance band assembly 20.

In FIG. 6, in order to attach the resistance band assemblies 20, thereare a plurality of resistance band assembly attachment recesses 12 onthe platform 10, and each resistance band assembly attachment recess 12has the same structure. In the preferred embodiment, the resistance bandassembly attachment recesses 12 are on the peripheral sides of theplatform 10, and the attachment members 58 are capable of securelyattaching the resistance band assembly 20 to the resistance bandassembly attachment recesses 12. More particularly, the resistance bandassembly attachment recesses 12 extends from the top side to the bottomside of the platform 10, and the attachment members 58 are plugs eachhaving an elongated body and an enlarged head, wherein the elongatedbodies are placed in the resistance band assembly attachment recesses 12and the enlarged heads are stuck to the bottom side of the platform 10,securing the resistance band assembly 20 to the platform 10.

In FIG. 7 aside from the platform 10, the exercise device 1 may includeat least one balance arch 26, each balance arch 26 comprising an archsection with a concave side 34, a protruding side 36, a first end 35 anda second end 37, and two connecting sections attached to the first endand the second end. Preferably, there are two identical balance arches26.

To use the balance arches 26 in an exercise, as in FIG. 8, there arebalance arch receiving recesses 38 (see FIG. 2B) residing on the bottomside of the platform 10 so that the connecting sections of the balancearches 26 may be securely positioned in the balance arch receivingrecesses 38, allowing the concaving side 34 to face the bottom side ofthe platform 10 and the protruding side 36 to face away from the bottomside, adjusting the height of the exercise device 1 and allowing theplatform 10 to rock on the surface upon which the exercise device 1 isplaced. When in use, the balance arches 26 may be locked into place by aslidable locking mechanism (not shown). In this instance, the mechanismhas a spring that permits the slidable mechanism to hold the balancearch in place by interacting with a groove (not shown) in the balancearch 26. To prevent slipping, each balance arch 26 further comprises ananti-slipping layer (not shown) attached to the protruding side. Asimilar methodology may be applied to any of the components of theexercise device 1.

Referring to FIG. 9, aside from the platform 10, the exercise device 1may include at least one roller 24 having a roller frame 21 and a rollerball 23 rotatably attached to the roller frame 21. Preferably, there area plurality of rollers 24, which may make the platform 10 glidable onthe floor. The roller balls 23 may have differing diameters in order tocreate multiple workout experiences.

Referring to FIG. 10, in order to attach the rollers 24, there areroller receiving recesses 32 residing on the bottom side of the platform10. The roller frames 21 may be securely positioned in the rollerreceiving recesses 32, making the roller balls 23 face the surface uponwhich the exercise device 1 is place, adjusting the height of theexercise device 1, and allowing the exercise device 1 to slide on thesurface with rotation of the roller balls 23. Furthermore, there areroller receiving recesses 32 residing on the support caps 45, and theroller frames 21 may be securely positioned in the roller receivingrecesses 32, making the roller balls 23 face the surface upon which theexercise device 1 is placed, adjusting the height of the exercise device1, and allowing the exercise device 1 to slide on the surface withrotation of the roller balls 23.

The various components of the exercise device 1 may be made from thesame or different materials, including but not limited to metal, wood,and hard plastics such as but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) orsome combination thereof. Each component has its preferred material. Forexample, the preferred material for the fitness block 22 is plastic andfor the support cap 45 is plastic. In some instances, dense foam may beused for the fitness blocks 22. The anti-slipping layer 11 is preferablymade of rubber. The platform 10 itself may be made from plastic.

The components of the exercise device 1 may be used in differentcombinations. For example, the fitness blocks 22 may be used to adjustthe height of the platform 10. The balance arches 26 may be used to makethe platform 10 capable of rocking on the floor. The rollers 24 make theplatform 10 capable of sliding. The resistance bands 20 may be used forstrength training. However, it is also possible that the components maybe used individually. For example, the platform 10 alone may assist astepping exercise. The fitness blocks 22 and/or the support caps 45 mayserve as support structures in a yoga routine.

The exercise device 1 disclosed in the current invention may be used formany kinds of exercising routines. The applications are almost limitlessand it is impossible to summarize all. Here are several kinds ofexercises that may serve as examples.

The most basic form of exercise that may use this device 1 is stepaerobics where a person steps up and down the platform 10 followingdifferent rhythms, routines, and techniques. As indicated above, theheight of the platform 10 may be adjusted.

The platform 10 and the fitness blocks 22, may serve as assistingstructures in a yoga routines. The user may stand, sit, or step on theplatform 10 with or without the fitness blocks 22 or support caps 45. Orthe user may put his/her hand(s) on the platform 10 (or the fitnessblocks 22 or support caps 45) to support his/her body.

After the balance arches 26 are properly attached, the platform 10 isturned into a rocking board, making a whole set of exercises possible. Auser may stand on the platform 10, striving to keep balance. Or the usermay playfully rock the platform 10 to exercise leg muscles.

The rollers 24 allow the platform 10 to slide on the floor, making theplatform 10 a gliding board. The user may put his/her feet on theplatform 10, using the hands on the floor as the main support, and rollthe platform 10 in any direction closer, further, or around the support,training strength and balance as the same time. In addition, since therollers 24 may be attached to either the platform 10 itself when theplatform is elevated, the user may choose how to make the gliding boardversion of the platform 10 more suitable for his/her exercise.

With the resistance band assemblies 20 properly attached, a series ofstrength training routines may be performed. For example, a user mayplace his feet on the platform 10 in a standing position, gripping thehandles 50 with one in each hand. The user may start with handsextending down from his sides and stretches the resistance bands 20 upby bending his elbows and using his biceps. The motion stops when thelower arms are close to the biceps. The user may then release thestretching and return the handles 50 to the starting position.

As indicated above, the components of the exercise device 1 may becombined for the best results. Similarly, the exercising routines thatmay be performed with the current device 1 may be combined andoptimized. For example, while exercising bicep muscles using theresistance bands 20, the user may maintain a stepping exercise,performing both aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercises at the sametime.

In addition to the versatility, the exercise device 1 disclosed in thecurrent invention has the advantages of being light weight and portable,easy to produce and easy to use, compact, and durable. Most of thecomponents may be put together when not in use. For example, the balancearches 26 may be kept in the balance arch resting recesses 27 on thebottom side of the platform 10. The resistance band assemblies 20 may bekept in the resistance band assembly resting recess 31 on the bottomside as well.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1: An exercise device, comprising: a platform havinga top side, a bottom side, and a peripheral sides, wherein the exercisedevice has a height measured as the distance between the top side and asurface upon which the platform is placed. 2: The exercise device ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one fitness block being capable ofpositioned beneath the bottom side of the platform, wherein there is atleast one fitness block receiving recess residing on the bottom side ofthe platform, and the fitness block is capable of residing securely inthe fitness block receiving recess, adjusting the height of the exercisedevice. 3: The exercise device of claim 2, wherein there are a pluralityof fitness blocks, there are two fitness block receiving recessesresiding on the bottom side of the platform, and each fitness blockbeing capable of residing securely in the fitness block receiving recessand adjusting the height of the exercise device. 4: The exercise deviceof claim 3, wherein each fitness block comprises an upper piece having atop surface a lower piece having a bottom concave, wherein the upperpiece is securely attached to and positioned upon the lower piece, andthe bottom concave is capable of receiving an upper piece from anotherfitness block. 5: The exercise device of claim 4, further comprising atleast one support cap, wherein each support cap is capable of beingpositioned beneath the fitness block, adjusting the height of theexercise device. 6: The exercise device of claim 5, wherein there are aplurality of identical support caps. 7: The exercise device of claim 6,wherein the fitness blocks are made of plastics and the support caps aremade of plastics. 8: The exercise device of claim 1, further comprisingat least one balance arch, each balance arch comprising an arch sectionwith a concave side, a protruding side, a first end and a second end;and two connecting sections attached to the first end and the secondend. 9: The exercise device of claim 8, wherein there are two identicalbalance arches. 10: The exercise device of claim 9, wherein there arebalance arch receiving recesses residing on the bottom side of theplatform, the connecting sections of the balance arches are capable ofbeing securely positioned in the balance arch receiving recesses,allowing the concaving side to face the bottom side of the platform andthe protruding side to face away from the bottom side, adjusting theheight of the exercise device and allowing the platform to rock on thesurface upon which the exercise device is placed. 11: The exercisedevice of claim 10, wherein there are balance arch resting recessesresiding on the bottom side of the platform, the balance arches arecapable of being securely positioned in the balance arch restingrecesses without changing the height of the exercise device. 12: Theexercise device of claim 10, wherein each balance arch further comprisesan anti-slipping layer attached to the protruding side. 13: The exercisedevice of claim 1, further comprising at least one roller having aroller frame and a roller ball rotatably attached to the roller frame.14: The exercise device of claim 13, wherein there are a plurality ofrollers. 15: The exercise device of claim 14, wherein there are rollerreceiving recesses residing on the bottom side of the platform, theroller frames are capable of being securely positioned in the rollerreceiving recesses, making the roller balls to face the surface uponwhich the exercise device is placed, adjusting the height of theexercise device, and allowing the exercise device to slide on thesurface with rotation of the roller balls. 16: The exercise device ofclaim 14, wherein the device comprises at least one support cap capableof being positioned beneath the fitness black and roller receivingrecesses residing on the support caps, the roller frames are capable ofbeing securely positioned in the roller receiving recesses, making theroller balls to face the surface upon which the exercise device isplaced, adjusting the height of the exercise device, and allowing theexercise device to slide on the surface with rotation of the rollerballs. 17: The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising at leastone resistance band assembly comprising a resistance band having a topend and a bottom end, a handle attached to the top end, an adjustmentstrap attached to the bottom end, and an attachment member connected tothe adjustment strap. 18: The exercise device of claim 17, wherein thereis a plurality of resistance band assemblies having an identicalstructure. 19: The exercise device of claim 18, wherein each resistanceband assembly further comprising a carabineer connecting the adjustmentstrap to the resistance band. 20: The exercise device of claim 19,wherein there is a plurality of identical resistance band assemblyattachment mechanisms on the platform. 21: The exercise device of claim20, wherein the resistance band assembly attachment mechanisms areresistance band assembly attachment recesses on the peripheral sides ofthe platform, and the attachment members are capable of securely attachthe resistance band assembly to the resistance band assembly attachmentrecesses. 22: The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the resistanceband assembly attachment recesses extends from the top side to thebottom side of the platform, and the attachment members are plugs eachhaving an elongated body and an enlarged head, wherein the elongatedbodies are placed in the resistance band assembly attachment recessesand the enlarged heads are stuck to the bottom side of the platform,securing the resistance band assembly to the platform. 23: The exercisedevice of claim 18, wherein the length of the adjustable strap iscapable of being adjusted. 24: The exercise device of claim 18, whereinthere is a resistance band assembly resting recess residing on thebottom side of the platform, the resistance band assemblies are capableof being securely positioned in the resistance band assembly restingrecess. 25: The exercise device of claim 24, further comprising astorage cover capable of covering the resistance band assembly restingrecess. 26: The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising ananti-slippery layer positioned above the top side of the platform. 27:The exercise device of claim 26, wherein an anti-slippery layer is madeof rubber.